Harry Hyland
Set three unbroken NHL rookie records on league's first day.
Harold Macarius Hyland, born in Montreal, Quebec, played forward in professional ice hockey for the Montreal Wanderers, New Westminster Royals, and Ottawa Senators. A standout in the sport’s early years, he took part in the first-ever NHL game on December 19, 1917. That night, Hyland and Joe Malone each scored five goals, establishing three NHL rookie records—most goals in a game by a rookie, most goals in a first NHL game, and most points in a first NHL game—that still stand. Hyland began his pro career with the Montreal Shamrocks of the Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association in 1908–09, playing center. He moved to the Montreal Wanderers of the National Hockey Association the next season, switching to right wing, and helped the club win the Stanley Cup. He stayed with the Wanderers until they folded in 1918, except for the 1911–12 season, when he played rover for the New Westminster Royals of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. After the Wanderers ceased operations, he joined the Ottawa Senators as a playing coach and retired the following year. During the 1912–13 season, Hyland scored eight goals in a single game against the Quebec Bulldogs. In the NHL’s very first contest on December 19, 1917, his Wanderers beat the Toronto Arenas 10–9 in Montreal, and Hyland recorded the league’s first hat trick. He also played lacrosse, competing for the Vancouver Lacrosse Club in 1911 alongside Newsy Lalonde and Mickey Ion, and later as a home fielder for the Montreal Shamrocks lacrosse team. While still playing in Montreal, he coached hockey at Loyola College. Hyland was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1889-01-02
- Birth Place
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Death Date
- 1969-08-08
- Height Ft
- 5
- Height In
- 6
- Weight Lb
- 156
- Position
- Right wing
- Shoots
- Right
- Played For
- Ottawa Senators / New Westminster Royals / Montreal Wanderers
- Career Start
- 1908
- Career End
- 1918
- Halloffame
- 1962
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Hyland first played professional ice hockey for the Montreal Shamrocks in the Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association in 1908–09. He joined the Montreal Wanderers of the National Hockey Association in 1909–10, when the club won the Stanley Cup. While with the Shamrocks he played as a center but switched to right wing with the Wanderers. He played for the Wanderers until they folded in 1918, except for one season in 1911–12 when he joined the Pacific Coast Hockey Association New Westminster Royals, where he played as a rover. After the Wanderers folded, he joined the Ottawa Senators, where he was named playing coach, and retired the following year. Hyland once scored eight goals in a game against the Quebec Bulldogs in 1912–13. He scored the first hat trick in National Hockey League history, playing in the league's very first game on December 19, 1917, in which Hyland's Wanderers defeated the Toronto Arenas 10–9, in Montreal. Hyland also played lacrosse, and in 1911 he was a teammate of Newsy Lalonde and Mickey Ion in the Vancouver Lacrosse Club. He was also a member of the Montreal Shamrocks lacrosse team playing as a home fielder.
Reader's Guide
Harry Hyland's significance lies in his pioneering role during the NHL's inaugural season. On December 19, 1917, he and Joe Malone each scored five goals on the NHL's first day of play, setting three NHL rookie records: most goals by a rookie in a game (5, tied with four others), most goals by a rookie in a first NHL game (5, tied with Joe Malone), and most points by a rookie in a first NHL game (5, tied with Al Hill and Joe Malone). These records remain unbroken. He also scored the first hat trick in NHL history in that same game. His career included a Stanley Cup championship with the Montreal Wanderers in 1909–10, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962. Concurrently with his playing career in Montreal, Hyland also coached hockey at Loyola College.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Harry Hyland?
Harold Macarius Hyland was a Montreal-born forward who competed in the sport's earliest professional era and made his NHL debut on December 19, 1917. He is best remembered for his extraordinary performance in that very first league game, where he scored five goals alongside Joe Malone.
What records did Harry Hyland set on the NHL's first night?
On December 19, 1917, Hyland's five-goal outburst gave him the NHL rookie marks for most goals in a single game, most goals in a player's first NHL appearance, and most points in a first NHL game. All three of those rookie benchmarks remain unbroken to this day.
Which professional teams did Harry Hyland suit up for?
Hyland's pro career spanned several early-20th-century clubs, including the Montreal Shamrocks of the ECAHA, the Montreal Wanderers, the New Westminster Royals, and the Ottawa Senators. He first stepped onto a professional ice in the 1908–09 season with the Shamrocks.
What position did Harry Hyland play?
Hyland was a forward versatile enough to slot in at center, right wing, or rover. His ability to cover multiple forward roles made him a valuable piece for the small rosters of that era.
Why do fans still talk about Harry Hyland's 1917 game?
Because his triple rookie record from that single night has never been surpassed, Hyland's name surfaces every time the NHL's opening night is discussed. It remains one of the most efficient individual performances in the league's entire history.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Players, Part 2 1-24
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